Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Slovenians, Thomas Jefferson and The Declaration of Independence
…..In his copy of Bodin's "Republic" Thomas Jefferson had initialed two pages. On one page was Bodin's definition and characterization of a tyrant, which was quite similar in concept to the phrases used in the Declaration of Independence. On the other initialed page was a description of the installation of the Dukes of Carinthia, a Slovenian ritual which may have contributed greatly to the founding of our great country…..
.....This custom, which was still being practiced during the time of the American Revolution, was living proof that the social contract did, in fact, exist, at least among the Slovenians.....
…..The Slovenians believed that the power to govern rested with the people who were to be governed, not those who were governing. They believed that their rulers should be men of the people, of all the people. They believed that the true qualities of those in government should be competency and concern. They believed that their leaders had a solemn duty to the people to be righteous. And we Americans believe in these same principles today. So did Thomas Jefferson during the time of the Revolution.....
November 28, 1967
Frank J. Lausche
U.S. Senator
Slovenian-American Heritage Foundation
Slovensko-Ameriski Kulturni Svet
Cleveland, Ohio
Bicentennial 1976
Erected 1976 by Slovenian-American Heritage Foundation; Slovensko-Ameriski Kulturni Svet.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series lists.
Location. 41° 30.175′ N, 81° 41.677′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on West Mall Drive south of Lakeside Avenue East, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located along the sidewalk, overlooking the Cleveland Mall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cleveland OH 44114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First Christmas Tree in America (here, next to this marker); To Commemorate 300 Years of German Contributions (here, next to this marker); The Burnham Mall (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Savings Stamps (about 600 feet away); The Ohio AFL-CIO (about 700 feet away); Abraham Lincoln (about 700 feet away); Terry v. Ohio (about 800 feet away); Cleveland City Hall Centennial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.
Also see . . .
1. Republic of Slovenia. Slovenes practiced the unique custom of the Installation of the Dukes of Carinthia for almost 1,000 years, until the late 14th century. According to some scholars, Bodin’s account of how Slovene farmers contractually consented to be governed by the Duke influenced Thomas Jefferson’s drafting of the Declaration of Independence. (Submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Carantania's role in Thomas Jefferson's draft of our Constitution. Jefferson evidently considered the ancient ritual of the Installation of the Dukes of Carinthia a common law precedent and the confirmation of the Contractual Theory upon which he based his claim for the American Independence. (Submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 357 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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